This study monitors the spatial and temporal variability of sea ambient noise (SAN) in the Cres-Lošinj archipelago from 2007 to 2009 (north-eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia). The archipelago is an important marine habitat for many protected species, including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) that is considered as vulnerable to disturbance from intense local vessel traffic. Systematic monthly sampling of SAN was carried out at ten predefined acoustic stations. Data on the presence, type and distance of vessels from these stations was also collected during sampling and vessels were allocated into four main classes. A sample of noise produced by a representative vessel of each vessel class was collected and the noise levels were extracted on the 1/3 octave band standard centre frequencies. All the recordings were analysed in terms of instantaneous sound pressure level (LLSP, L-weighted, 63 Hz–20 kHz, root mean square fast). The equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (LLeq) for vessel and SAN were calculated averaging the LLSP of vessel and SAN samples. Results indicate an increase of SAN levels particularly in the range of low frequencies (63 Hz–1 kHz) during the tourist season. A positive relationship was found between the spatial and temporal distribution of SAN and seasonal changes in anthropogenic pressure, in terms of vessel traffic. Potential implications for local marine life, with particular reference to bottlenose dolphins, are discussed.

The nannastacid cumacean Campylaspis laevigata is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea from specimens collected on the Israeli continental slope. This species is redescribed, based on specimens from the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean, and distinguished from the closely allied congeners Campylaspis glabra and Campylaspis nitens, both recorded from the Mediterranean. The three species have a smooth carapace, but may be distinguished by the structure and setation of the uropods: the inner margin of the peduncle is serrated in C. laevigata and C. nitens (not serrated in C. glabra), but the latter has more setae (6) on the endopodal inner margin and a rudimentary eyelobe. The known bathymetric distribution of C. laevigata ranges from 280 to 2000 m, and its highest abundances in the southern Bay of Biscay were found between 500 and 800 m, possibly related to food availability in the near-bottom environment.

Two Achirus mazatlanus with record lengths of 218 and 230 mm total length were observed, a 12 and 24 mm increase over the previous mark for this species.

The alpheid shrimp Prionalpheus gomezi, previously only known from the incomplete type specimen from Cuba, is reported from Guadeloupe, Belize and Honduras. The previously unknown cheliped is illustrated, as is the diagnostic colour pattern.

Fifteen crustacean species including three stomatopods, ten decapod crabs and two palinurid lobsters, are new records from the southern Brazilian coast (27°15′S 48°25′W). All the species had their geographical distribution expanded, highlighted by particularly the mantis shrimp, Neogonodactylus torus (Manning, 1969), which was found more than 1100 km from its previous southern limit and the crab Dromia gouveai Melo & Campos, 1999, which was recently described but not found continuously along the Brazilian coast. These new records reflect the current gap in baseline studies for marine crustaceans in this area, and contribute towards the biogeographical knowledge about this group in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Studies on the biology of the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in the Río Negro Estuary (RNE), Patagonia, Argentina, were carried out from 2002 to 2011. Information about group size, group dispersion and behaviour was collected from the coast and by boat, using scanning and focal animal/group sampling methodology. Group size varied from 1 to 5 dolphins (X  = 1.69; standard deviation (SD) = 0.74; N = 121), 2 being the most frequent value (46.28%; N = 56). Group dispersion varied from 0 to 10 dolphin length (DL) (X  = 1.4; SD = 0.75; N = 51), 0 DL (54.9%; N = 28) being the most frequent value. Behaviour of travelling, feeding, milling and resting were recorded, with a higher frequency of animals travelling (36.58%; N = 45). Calves were observed in spring and summer (N = 10). 13 stranded individuals were reported and 3 of them were collected from gillnets. Data presented herein indicate year-round presence of franciscana as well as the RNE being the southernmost breeding and feeding site reported to date. The establishment of the proposed natural reserve by the Governments of Río Negro and Buenos Aires provinces and continued long-term studies are urgently recommended.

Holothuria arguinensis is reported for the first time on the south-eastern Spanish coast. One specimen of this species was identified in El Mojón (Alicante, Spain, 37°50′54.17″N 0°45′39.90″W). This finding widens the geographical range of H. arguinensis and demonstrates that its environmental requirements are changing. Future genetic studies in this species would allow us to improve our understanding of its colonization from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Numerous Indo-Pacific originated alien foraminifer species have been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean. Each year new species are being added. In the framework of a foraminiferal study conducted on the east Aegean coast the benthic foraminifer Polymorphina fistulosa is found in the foraminiferal assemblage around a hot water submarine spring in Ilıca Bay (Çesme, Turkey). It is also observed in one sediment sample collected from the western entrance of the Dardanelles (Çanakkale, Turkey). These records constitute the first record of this Pacific originated species in the Aegean Sea.

Evidence is given of the second documented record of Gephyroberyx darwinii (Beryciformes: Trachychthyidae) in the Mediterranean. One specimen was caught offshore S. Agata di Militello (Tyrrhenian Sea) in August 2011 by trammel net. Herein are reported its morphometric and meristic features.

The occurrence of the dinoflagellate Kryptoperidinium foliaceum is reported for the first time from a hypersaline environment in Kuwait based on recurrent observations of this species from a tidal creek in appreciable numbers. This new record extends the known range of salinity tolerance for K. foliaceum to more than 100 psu. The distribution of the species along a salinity gradient within the tidal creek was studied. The morphological features of the species on the basis of light and epifluorescence microscopy observations are described.